LECTURERS 2018–19 “It felt like a gift to a small church to have a speaker of such renown as John Bell and not to have to worry about finances. We would not have been able to do this without the help of the Trust and are truly grateful. Hosting the event also gave us something exciting to look forward to and gave encouragement to the life of our church. Thank you!”

West Derbyshire United Reformed Church THE MONTGOMERY TRUST LECTURERS 14 23 22 21 19 17 16 15 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 24 20 18

PROFESSOR PROFESSOR JOLYON MITCHELL

DR DR ESTHERDEWAAL DR JACK LAWSON

MRS RACHEL MORIARTY CANON MARKOAKLEY PROFESSOR PETERMCCULLOUGH DR DR

REVD CANONED REVD PROFESSOR JEFFASTLEY RICHARD BURRIDGE REVD PROFESSOR REVD DRJOHNBELL MR ANDREWBARR DR EDWARD ADAMS DR CLAIREFOSTER-GILBERT CANON CHRISCHIVERS REBECCA NYE PHILIPLEWIS ANNCONW TREVOR COOLING AY-JONES WARD CARTER

WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 3 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25

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DR ANNERICHARD PR THE VERY REVD MARTYN PERCY REVD DRIANP HADDON WILLMER PROFESSOR CANON DRMARKPR VERNON WHITE CANON PROFES DR MEGW SOUTHGATE D JAMES W REVD CANON DR DR EL MR MICHAELPOOLE THRELFALL-HOLMES REVD DRMIRAND DR NIC SPUR PROFESSOR NEIL OFESSOR CHRISTOPHER WAY OODWARD ARNER AUL SOR A S YCE 4 THE MONTGOMERY TRUST

WHAT IS THE MONTGOMERY TRUST? The Montgomery Trust exists to bring the insights of renowned academic and scientific minds to anyone seeking to understand faith more deeply.

It was established thanks to a bequest from Sir Alexander Cecil Montgomery of Albury, Surrey – a Baronet who lived from 1859 until 1939. He was passionate about communicating modern Bible scholarship, with an emphasis on Christian apologetics, to everyone.

His will stipulated that the Trust is: “...for the purpose of promoting lectures in explanation and defence of the Christian Religion and with a view to removing difficulties widely felt in the way of faith in God and to demonstrate the reasonableness of theistic faith.” – Paragraph 7 from the Will of Sir Alexander Cecil Montgomery, 1937

In addition, Sir Alex expressed a preference for the lecturers ‘being proficient in some branch of science or scholarship and preferably lay, with a gift for popular exposition’. There are now over 30 Montgomery Trust Lecturers, who each offer up to 3 lecture titles

MONTGOMERY MONTGOMERY TRUST LECTURERS and themes to choose from. WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 5

Three advisers oversee the programme: the Dean of With over 30 lecturers and nearly 100 lecture topics St Paul’s Cathedral, the Dean of Westminster and the available, we are confident you will find the perfect Dean of King’s College London. The advisers are combination for your audience. responsible for the appointment of lecturers. It has been agreed that some of the lectures may deal with And hosting a lecture is very exciting! It engages your professional issues in the teaching of Religious Education community, starts conversations, presents different in a multicultural society. opinions and provides a space for discussion.

For further information about booking a Montgomery Previous hosts have included cathedrals and churches, Lecture go to www.montgomerytrust.org.uk community and special-interest groups, chaplaincies, universities and schools. WHY HOST A MONTGOMERY TRUST LECTURE? The Montgomery Trust gives you the opportunity to book a renowned lecturer for your special event at no cost to you. The Trust pays the lecturer’s fees and travel costs. 6

ORGANISING THE MONTGOMERY TRUST YOUR LECTURE Advertise youreventby: Advertise to provide. refreshments youmightlike to plan your seating andany to whom?). Thisenablesyou with (aphonecall oremail–and tell them how to bookandwho booked! Andmakesureyou they’ve more likelyto attend if there isnocharge–peoplearefar ask peopleto book,eventhough audience. To helpachievethis, 30peopleinyour minimum of We doask youto guarantee a YOUR EVENT PROMOTING • • • • •

social media loc post email in word of al newspapers ers andflyers mouth vitations

BOOK A LECTURER [email protected] We can becontacted byemailing disappointment. consider givingalternatives to avoid to date, lecturerandlecturetopic, please accommodate yourfirstchoiceinrelation bestto Whilst wedoourvery www.montgomerytrust.org.uk. online bookingformonourwebsite your event(s),please enquireviathe lecture(s) youwouldlikedeliveredat lecturers anddecidingwhichparticular the each of After reading theprofiles of MAKE YOUR CHOICE

Dr EDWARD ADAMS Footsteps of SaintPeter. Footsteps of SaintPaul andDavidSuchet:Inthe series DavidSuchet:IntheFootstepsof Hewas interviews. ConsultantfortheTV theAcademic radio andTV Testament, isregularlyconsulted bythemediaandhas givenmany theNew He isstronglycommitted to thepubliccommunication of Paul andecclesialspaceinearly Christianity. of theology London. Hehas research interests intheGospels,letters and andReligious StudiesatKing’sCollege Theology Department of NewTestamentEdward Adams isProfessorof Studiesinthe 2 andillustrated.four Gospelswillbeputforward the model forappreciatingandnavigating theunityanddiversityof Gospelinterpretation. Inthislecture,a longstanding problemof yet different.How to negotiate thesimilaritiesanddifferencesisa The NewTestament containsfourGospelswhich areallsimilar, 1 FourGospels,OneStory and the faith of hisearliest followers. and thefaithof relation to Jesus,andcontends thathestood incontinuity withJesus thesort.Thislectureconsiders Paul’s never claimedto beanything of Jesusand turned himinto adivine saviour whenJesus the messageof Christianityafter Jesushimself. Yetof many believethathecorrupted Saint, ortheApostle,Paul isthemostimportantfigureinhistory P  aul, Misrepresentative of Jesus? aul, Misrepresentativeof LECTURETOPICS WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 7 Church withDavid Horrell. Corinth: TheQuestforthePauline He alsoco-edited Christianityat Places: Almost ExclusivelyHouses? and TheEarliestChristianMeeting Jesus:FourGospels, OneStory, of books, includingParallel Lives Edward has written several Paul’s churches. worshipin and thenatureof meetings the frequencyof gatherings, material settingof Apostle Paul. Learn aboutthe founded, orwritten to, bythe communities: theassemblies ‘church’, especiallyinPauline considers theexperienceof Thislecture in the1stCentury? What was itliketo ‘goto church’ 1st Century 3 Goingto Churchinthe PUBLICATIONS

8 THE MONTGOMERY TRUST Revd Professor JEFF ASTLEY Jeff Astley is repugnance of the supposed character of God – describing the The Alister God. This lecture addresses whether a God indescribable?’ Can these Hardy Professor who judges people for not believing in him questions be answered? of Religious is worthy of the name. and Spiritual PUBLICATIONS Experience at 2 Faith: An Affair of the Heart or the Head? Jeff is the author or editor of Glyndŵr University, Is it possible to have faith without passion? over thirty books on Christian as well as an Would passionless faith be safer than Education, Practical Theology honorary professor passionate faith? Explore the role that and Religious Faith, including in the Department feeling plays in religious faith, and how The Philosophy of Christian Religious of Theology and Religion and Professorial this distinguishes it from other forms of Education; Choosing Life? Christianity Fellow of St Chad’s College at Durham believing. Can passionate faith be and Moral Problems; Learning in University, and a visiting professor at York reasonable faith? the Way: Research and Reflection on St John University. For over 30 years he Adult Christian Education; Ordinary was the Director of the North of England 3 Watching Our Religious Language Theology: Looking, Listening and Institute for Christian Education (see: Two criticisms are often made of talk about Learning in Theology; Exploring www.community.dur.ac.uk/neice/). God: ‘Why don’t religious believers stick to God-Talk: Using Language in Religion; straightforward, literal accounts of their Christ of the Everyday; the SCM Study LECTURE TOPICS God, instead of all this obscure poetry and guide to Christian Doctrine; Studying 1 So Which God Don’t You Believe In? flowery figures of speech?’ and ‘How God: Doing Theology, and What Do We Atheist concerns often centre on the moral can any human being really talk about Believe? Why Does it Matter? WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 9

PUBLICATIONS Mr Andrew was co-author of Jobs for the Boys (Hodder 2001), looking at the experiences of women who ANDREW BARR became priests in the Anglican Church. Other titles published Andrew Barr LECTURE TOPICS: include Songs of Praise: A Lent and works freelance 1 Religion and Media in a Changing Society Easter Companion and Through the in the media How does ’s ‘consumer’ find their way Year with Songs of Praise (Lion/BBC). as a presenter, through the daily changes of life with the He contributed to the International consultant electronic media to search for eternal truths? directory, Christianity: a complete and writer. ‘Social media’ sounds like an answer but is guide (Continuum 2005). His Out it? The traditional arrangement between of the Deep anthology of resources He has worked churches and broadcasters may have been for times of national grief was for the BBC, ITV, swept aside too, but this presentation aims published in 2013 by CTBI. His last Channel 4, Radio to help both to cope – and to thrive. project was a media presentation for Scotland and Premier Radio amongst others. Macmillan Nurses, working with his He has been a Trustee of the MB Reckitt Trust; 2 Remembrance wife, Liz Barr. He is currently writing Chair of the Soul of Europe (a charitable Finding words and pictures for a End Board, an account of working trust concerning reconciliation in Bosnia); new generation. in the BBC film department, a member of the Joint Liturgy Group of the describing the often hair-raising UK; and a member of the Religion in the 3 The Broadcaster’s Response to a Disaster episodes behind the camera Media Monitoring Group for the General Reflecting particularly on religion for making some now-notorious Synod of the . He is still a a non-religious audience in crisis. documentaries. It describes an Council Member of the Religious Education almost lost generation with whom Movement for Scotland. he worked from the 1960s. 10

Revd Dr THE MONTGOMERY TRUST JOHN BELL Thought fortheDay. mobile phoneorcamera, andisanoccasional 4’s contributor to Radio He doesnotpossessamarriagecertificate, driver’slicence,iPod, liturgy, musicandspirituality. the worldonissuesof theIonaCommunitywholecturesaround John Bellisamemberof that itmoved theBiblefrombeingaworkforpopularimagination theGutenberg PrintingPresswas abonus,butitmay beargued of theReformationwithdevelopment For some,thecoincidenceof 1  R ediscovering theBibleas thePeople’s Book LECTURETOPICS contemporary, shapepopulartheology. we reflectonhow songs,traditional and oratory weexperience.Inthislecture, pulpit thecalibre of irrespective of sing iswhatweendupbelieving, Studies have shown thatwhatwe Belief 2 SingingOurWay Into orOutof can, unlockscriptureforallpeople. intuition andimaginationdid,still elite. Here weponderhow hearts, to being atreatise fortheintellectual published intranslation. whicharenow several of hymns andworshipmaterial, of produced numerouscollections and congregations,hehas in association withcolleagues John isbased inGlasgow where, 3 churches’ ministry. the avenues of variety of in reading thebibleandina lecture exploresitssignificance as adivineendowment. This the imaginationcomesinto play Scripture anditsinterpretation, Holy in boththewritingof regarded as anallyto faith.Yet the imaginationisnotoften Seen bysomeas abogus gift, Imagination

The Importance of the the TheImportanceof PUBLICATIONS WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 11 Revd Professor RICHARD BURRIDGE

Richard Burridge to suit the local context: a) What ethical PUBLICATIONS is Dean of King’s material does the New Testament contain? What are the Gospels?: A College London, (b) How is it used in contemporary Comparison with Graeco-Roman where he is also ethical dilemmas? Biography (new edition, Professor of Biblical Eerdmans 2004), Four Gospels, Interpretation. 2 Reading/Teaching the Gospels Today One Jesus?: A Symbolical Reading He taught Classics Comparing the gospels to ancient biography, (SPCK Classic 2013); John: The initially, before this lecture discusses the four portraits People’s Bible Commentary (Bible

Neil Turner: http://neilturnerphotographer.com/ Neil Turner: researching on of Jesus in the canonical gospels and the Reading Fellowship 2013); Jesus and the implications of this approach for how we Imitating Jesus: An Inclusive gospels, for which work Pope Francis gave read the gospels today. Approach to New Testament Ethics him the Ratzinger Prize in 2013, the only (Eerdmans 2007). He appears non-Catholic to be honoured in this way. 3 What are the Gospels? regularly on TV and other media He is also Canon Theologian of Salisbury An account of how the gospels have been to comment on theology, church Cathedral, and was Deputy Chair of the studied over the last century, including the affairs and ethics. Ethical Investment Advisory Group. major changes in gospel studies in the last decade or two in the light of their LECTURE TOPICS comparison with Graeco-Roman biography 1 New Testament Ethics Today and its implications today. This lecture consists of two halves arranged 12 THE MONTGOMERY TRUST Revd Canon EDWARD CARTER Edward Carter has been Canon Theologian Consideration is given to secular theories at Chelmsford Cathedral since 2012, of enterprise, the practical characteristics having previously been a parish priest in of entrepreneurial behaviour, as well as key Oxfordshire, a Minor Canon at St George’s theological themes. A tentative conclusion Windsor, and a curate in Norwich. Prior to is explored: that human enterprise does have ordination he worked for small companies a part to play within God’s purposes and ran his own business. for creation.

Since 2010 he has been a Trustee of the Church 2 Ethical Investing and the Church’s Money of England’s CBF Funds, which has around This lecture tells the story of the Church of £2bn of church money under investment. He England’s funds and the formation of the also serves on the Ethical Investment Advisory Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG) Group of the Church of England. His research in 1994. The moral issues are discussed, and interests include a theology of enterprise, and the theological rationale for investing in a others. The theme is illustrated his hobbies include board games, volleyball particular way is considered. The lecture will with reference to the God Movie and film-making. He is married to Sarah and include a number of case studies drawn from Project (GMP), which Edward they have two adult sons. the work of the EIAG. created in 2013. The talk includes some example video clips from LECTURE TOPICS 3 Ordinary Theology and the God the GMP. More information 1 Enterprise and Theology Movie Project about the GMP is available from Looking at the possible theological basis This talk considers the subject of ‘Ordinary the website for human enterprise in its various forms. Theology’ as pioneered by Jeff Astley and www.godmovieproject.com WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 13

of numerous books, the latest of which is Letters to Jonny (ISPCK; EDWARD CARTER 2016). He is the trustee of several major Anglican charities and Picture by Silas Miami Picture by Silas the chair of USPG, the global Anglican mission agency. He is married with three children.

LECTURE TOPICS 1 Inspiring Hope Reflecting on contemporary figures whose stories challenge and inspire.

2 Music as Revelation Canon Chris Chivers is Principal of Westcott House, Cambridge. and Salvation How God addresses us through

A graduate of both Oxford and Cambridge Universities, he has been a music and how the journey to parish priest and area dean in London, a precentor at both St George’s wholeness is thereby modelled Cathedral, Cape Town and Westminster Abbey, and canon chancellor for us (with musical examples of Blackburn Cathedral, where he set up the award-winning to listen to and explore). inter-religious institute, exChange, and employed the first Muslim dialogue development officer on the staff of a cathedral anywhere in 3 Peace Building in a World the world. A published poet and composer, he presents daily service of Conflict regularly on BBC Radio 4, is a frequent contributor to newspapers Using examples from across the globe.

Canon CHRIS CHIVERS and periodicals in the UK and also in South Africa, and the author 14 THE MONTGOMERY TRUST

Dr ANN CONWAY-JONES

Ann Conway-Jones is a scholar and Macarius read Exodus, and used its imagery experienced teacher specialising in in their teaching on prayer. early Jewish-Christian relations, and the beginnings of mysticism. She is actively 2 Sibling Rivalry: Early Jewish-Christian involved in Jewish-Christian dialogue and Relations and Their Legacy Today was Chair of the Birmingham Council of Jesus was an observant Jew who was Christians and Jews for six years. She has circumcised, attended synagogue, and different ways in which the same since been elected Joint-Honorary Secretary celebrated Jewish festivals. Today, Judaism biblical books have been treated of the national organisation, with a seat and Christianity are separate religions. in Judaism, Christianity and on the board of trustees. How did this happen? Presenting the latest academic scholarship. It then scholarship on what is known as ‘the parting explores how, in the light of this LECTURE TOPICS of the ways’ and discussing how Jews and diversity, Christians might read 1 Moses on Mount Sinai and the Life Christians should relate to each other today. the Old Testament today. of Prayer Exploring the importance of the biblical 3 Tanakh, Old Testament or Hebrew Bible? PUBLICATIONS narrative of Moses’ experience on Mount Jews and Christians Divided by a Ann’s thesis was published by Sinai for early Christian mystics, looking Common Scripture OUP in 2014 as Gregory of Nyssa’s at how the 4th Century writers, Gregory Jews and Christians share common scriptures. Tabernacle Imagery in Its Jewish and of Nyssa, Evagrius of Pontus, and Pseudo- Or do they? This lecture looks at the very Christian Contexts. WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 15 Professor

LECTURE TOPICS TREVOR COOLING 1 School Religious Education Trevor’s particular expertise Trevor Cooling started his career teaching Science at Banbury is in the interaction between Comprehensive School, following a degree in Science and Education Christian faith and the task of from Cambridge University. After two years at Banbury, he married school RE in the multifaith, but Margaret and together they went to the London Bible College, now increasingly secularised, world London School of Theology. Trevor then taught RE at Aylesbury of the 21st Century. Grammar School while studying for his MA in RE. 2 The Distinctively Christian From there he went to work at the Stapleford Centre in Nottingham Contribution to Education for 18 years, while gaining his PhD in RE from the University of Trevor’s work with Christian Birmingham. He led a variety of projects at Stapleford, including teachers and with many developing distance learning courses for Christian teachers, validated Anglican dioceses gives him by the University of Nottingham, and setting up The Stapleford Project, a particular insight into the a curriculum development project for teaching Christianity in schools. Christian vocation of teaching. He explores how the mission From Stapleford, Trevor went as a Principal Lecturer to the University of the church is expressed of Gloucestershire, and then to the Diocese of Gloucester as Secondary through education and how Schools Adviser. He returned to the Stapleford Centre to lead the this can be both a distinctively ‘Transforming Lives’ project and is now Professor of Christian Christian contribution and one Education and Director of the National Institute for Christian that promotes inclusivity and Education Research at Canterbury Christ Church University. community cohesion. 16 THE MONTGOMERY TRUST

Esther de Waal lives in a small cottage in the countryside where a Scriptorium in Wales by some she grew up in the Welsh Borders. Trained as a historian, she has of the best calligraphers and moved into the area of spirituality, and has written widely on the artists working in this field. Benedictine, Cistercian and Celtic monastic traditions. 3 The Art of the Camera In recent years she has become increasingly aware of the importance (illustrated talk) of the religious imagination: the role of symbol and image; the Thomas Merton, the Trappist need to balance the visual with the verbal in our Christian monk, was the son of artist understanding today. parents and he handled the camera as an artist would handle LECTURE TOPICS a brush. A short film using his 1 The Art of the Poet (can be illustrated) photographs shows us how he From its earliest roots in the Celtic Bardic tradition, poetry in saw the world around him and

Wales has been the vehicle for theology. It shows us an approach how he turned it into prayer. to God which emphasises praise, wonder and celebration. The talk begins in the 7th Century, looking at the very earliest Welsh religious PUBLICATIONS verse, and concludes with R.S. Thomas. Seeking God; Living on the Border; Lost in Wonder; A Seven day Journey 2 The Art of Calligraphy (illustrated talk) with Thomas Merton. The tradition of finely-written illustrated manuscripts in works such as the Book of Kells and the Lindisfarne Gospel has been continued in our own day by the amazing achievement of the 7 volumes of the St John’s Bible. Commissioned by a Benedictine

Dr ESTHER DE WAAL community in America, it was executed at WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 17

DrCLAIRE FOSTER-GILBERT Claire Foster-Gilbert Advisory Committee and the McDonald Centre needs more response than moral is a national expert for Public Theology and Ethics in Oxford. analysis based on enlightenment, in Research Ethics, rationality and the Cartesian and has worked at LECTURE TOPICS mindset upon which it sits. the Archbishops’ 1 Growing Moral Sensitivity and Courage Council of the Moral thinking: the Three Approaches PUBLICATIONS Church of England Framework: how to decide whether a proposed The Manual for Research Ethics as Policy Adviser action is right. Moral feeling: the Four Committees (KCL 1995, republished in Medical Ethics Dispositions: how to have the right attitude each year); The Ethics of Medical and Environmental and perception to want to make a moral choice. Research on Humans (CUP 2001); Issues. As a lay Canon at St Paul’s Cathedral, Moral acting: the Hero’s Journey: how to grow Sharing God’s Planet (CHP 2005); she co-founded St Paul’s Institute and the necessary virtue and courage to act. How Many Lightbulbs Does it Take the Ethics Academy. She is also a founder to Change a Christian? (CHP 2007) director of the Westminster Abbey Institute. 2 The Ethics of Medical Research on and Don’t Stop at the Lights (CHP Humans and Animals 2008). She also co-edited a book Claire has been a member or chair of numerous All medicine and healthcare depends upon a of Rowan Williams’ dialogues on public and advisory bodies, including the reliable evidence base, but this means using global issues; The Worlds We Live Royal Society’s Science in Society Committee, living research subjects. How do we determine In (DLT 2005) and Hero’s Journal the 10 Downing St Coalition on Climate whether research on humans or animals is (The Ethics Academy 2009); a Change and the Royal College of Paediatrics ethically acceptable? programme teaching moral Ethics Committee. She is a member of the strength and courage to young British Medical Association’s Medical Ethics 3 Environmental Ethics people and adults. Committee, Unilever’s Central Research Ethics The environmental crisis of the 21st Century 18 THE MONTGOMERY TRUST

Dr JACK LAWSON

Jack Lawson LECTURE TOPICS back wistfully to a time ‘when (www.jacknlawson. 1 Creation, Creationism, Science and Faith we were a Christian country’, but com) studied at Looking at the Genesis creation account the fact is that we have always Harvard and Duke both on its own terms and against the been a mixed religious economy. Divinity Schools background of other ancient, Near Eastern To learn how we might remain before undertaking creation stories, particularly Enuma Elish, the faithful in a pluralistic society, we his PhD. He also Babylonian creation epic. View the biblical will examine the experiences of taught at the text through the lenses of modern quantum two strong personalities from the University of mechanics. Old Testament: Daniel and Esther. North Carolina, for the Cambridge Theological Federation 2 Paul in Athens: Acts 17:16-34: A Model for PUBLICATIONS and the South East Institute for the Gospel in a Pluralist Society In 2010 Jack published the Theological Education. Paul is the consummate exemplar of the novel Doing Time, which examines Gospel in a pluralist society. Paul’s speech the role domestic violence plays Jack is currently the Development and to the Athenians is the best example of in the eventual incarceration of Evangelism Enabler for the East Anglia Christianity being presented to an indifferent, women. He is also a published District of the Methodist Church, even hostile, world. author on the Old Testament, in and a founding member of the Norwich The Dictionary of Biblical Criticism Centre for Christian Learning at 3 Faith and Cultures: Daniel & Esther as and Interpretation (2007). Norwich Cathedral (see www. Models for Life in a Pluralistic Society norwichcentreforchristianlearning.co.uk). Practising Christians are now a minority group in Britain. It can be tempting to look WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 19

Dr PHILIP LEWIS Philip Lewis advised Anglican Bishops in To what extent can and should ‘Islamic law’ be Christianity in Muslim Encounter Bradford on Islam and Christian Muslim accommodated within British society? Does (Continuum 2009), Between Relations for over 25 years, and has lectured the Islamic Jesus have much in common with Naivety and Hostility, Uncovering the at Bradford University’s Peace Studies the Christ of Christian faith? best Christian Responses to Islam in Department on ‘Islam in the West’ and Britain, (Authentic Media Limited ‘Religions, Conflict and Peace Making’. 3 The Dynamics of Violent Extremism 2011) and The Routledge Handbook within Islam Today and Possibilities for of Christian-Muslim Relations (2016). Since retiring, he remains a consultant to Deradicalisation the Bishop of Leeds on Islam, and is a Scholar We have to understand the appeal of ISIS-type Consultant to the national Christian Muslim propaganda to young British Muslims, and Forum. His passion is for finding ways to help must locate that appeal within the challenges churches recover a proper confidence in the they face to make sense of Islam in a western gospel in the context of religious diversity in context. Majid Nawaz’s story of how he turned general, and Islam in particular. his back on violent extremism and set up the Quilliam Foundation to tackle it illuminates LECTURE TOPICS the significant role of a Christian in his 1 Muslim Religious Leaders in Britain journey back from the brink. How and where they are trained, and an attempt to address a crisis in PUBLICATIONS religious authority. Young, British and Muslim (Continuum 2007), ‘For the Peace of the City: Bradford – 2 Topics which Continue to Divide the Two a case-study in developing inter-community Faiths – The Limits of Religious Freedom and inter-religious relations’ in World 20 THE MONTGOMERY TRUST

Peter McCullough is an expert on the Religious History of Early 3 St Paul’s and the Reformation Modern England, particularly the English preaching tradition, Too often obscured by the Bible Translation, and liturgy between the Reformation and the iconic status of Wren’s post-fire Civil War. He is a Fellow and Tutor in English at Lincoln College, building, Old St Paul’s during Oxford, and Professor in the University’s Faculty of English, the reigns of Elizabeth I and and served on the Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral as Lay Canon James I was a place of national with portfolio for historical importance which tried and matters, including the tested the new challenges of interpretation of the Cathedral’s being a Protestant cathedral. past for the public. PUBLICATIONS LECTURE TOPICS Sermons at Court: Religion and 1 the Preacher Politics in Elizabethan and Jacobean How one of Renaissance England (Cambridge 1998), and England’s greatest verbal artists Lancelot Andrewes: Selected Sermons adapted his skills to the pulpit. and Lectures (Oxford 2005); he is also General Editor of Oxford 2 Lancelot Andrewes University Press’s new edition On one of the Church of of The Complete Sermons of England’s greatest scholars and John Donne. Professor

PETER MCCULLOUGH preachers, and person of prayer. WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 21

2 Passion Play: The mysterious Professor revivals of religious drama (illustrated) JOLYON MITCHELL Explore the extraordinary growth of religious drama in the UK, Europe and beyond over the last Jolyon Mitchell LECTURE TOPICS sixty years. Using examples from specialises in 1 Reframing News about Violence and the Mystery and Passion Play religion, violence Distant Suffering (illustrated) traditions, investigate why both and peacebuilding, How and why do spectacular acts of violence ancient and modern plays are including the role of often dominate the news? Why do viewers enjoying renewed popularity all the arts and media remember some images and forget others? over the world. in inciting violence How can audiences creatively interact with and promoting stories of distant suffering? What resources PUBLICATIONS peace. A former BBC are available to avoid being overwhelmed Promoting Peace, Inciting Violence World Service by news about distant suffering and (Routledge 2012); Martyrdom: A Very producer and journalist, he is Professor of compassion fatigue? Communications, Arts & Religion and Short Introduction (Oxford University Press 2012); Media Violence and Director of the Centre for Theology & Public 2 ‘Swords into Ploughshares’: Promoting Christian Ethics (Cambridge Issues at the University of Edinburgh; peace through the arts (illustrated) University Press 2007). Co-edited President of TRS-UK and a Fellow of the How arms can be transformed into a wide books include: Religion and the News Royal Society of Arts. range of arts? Drawing upon examples from (Ashgate 2012); The Religion and Film locations such as Southern Africa and the Reader (Routledge 2007). Nominated for seven teaching awards he is Middle East, explore how the phrase ‘swords TEDx Talk https://goo.gl/xtMt7q open to providing lectures on a wide range into ploughshares’ is being brought to life in See http://goo.gl/XP81H9 of other topics (e.g. Peacebuilding through unexpected ways. the Arts; Making Martyrs; and the Ends of Religious Violence). 22 THE MONTGOMERY TRUST

She is particularly interested in how Christian faith, history and tradition are learnt and taught, and enjoys discussing this with teachers, pupils and students, and adults in changing situations.

LECTURE TOPICS 1 Church Mothers There were many women in the Mrs early church, including martyrs, travellers, teachers and hermits. How much do we know about their stories, and what can we Rachel Moriarty began teaching as a classical specialist in schools, learn from them for churches and and after studying Theology and Church History she moved to ourselves today? higher education, teaching at Chichester Theological College and the Universities of Southampton and Winchester. In retirement PUBLICATIONS she teaches adults for the Workers’ Educational Association and Her academic interests and in the diocese. She has been a member of General Synod and its published work began with The Board of Education, and is involved in church education as Early Church and now include governor of a church secondary school, and in the training of the wider field of Church History, Readers in the diocese. including Bishop Bell of Chichester. WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 23 Dr REBECCA NYE deep qualities of worship, what Rebecca Nye is in Godly Play across Europe. Her current worship means and who it is a researcher, research projects are on hearing the voice of really for? consultant and pupil spirituality in church schools, raising trainer in the teacher and clergy awareness of childhood 3 Teaching Christ to Children? field of children’s spirituality, and attending to the spirituality What is the role of the adult in a spirituality. of sick children. child’s spiritual journey? Can we Originally a ‘teach Christ’? How can adults psychologist, LECTURE TOPICS help children to know God’s she conducted a 1 Recognising Children’s Spirituality presence rather than just know landmark empirical Childhood is a period of heightened spiritual ‘about’ God? What role might study of children’s spirituality in the early awareness, but this natural capacity can be the Bible take in adult-child 1990s with David Hay (The Spirit of the hard to sustain or even recognise. Understand learning process? Explore the Child, Hay & Nye 2006). A counter-cultural the experience of childhood with evidence dynamics of Christian teaching approach to Christian formation called from psychology and theological reflection and learning with children, ‘Godly Play’ particularly interests her. This and through examples from primary school rethinking the view of the child respects our childlike, intuitive spirituality children’s conversations. and the role of the educator with whilst intentionally supporting the real-life illustrations. use of traditional spiritual language 2 Spirituality, Children and Worship and habits. Exploring the movement towards ‘child- PUBLICATIONS Rebecca lectures in Childhood Studies and friendly’ church practices and considering Psychology for Christian Ministry Developmental Psychology for the Open whether this does justice to child, and adult (Watts, Nye & Savage 2002), and University, teaches for the Cambridge spirituality. Drawing on the psychology of Children’s Spirituality: What it is and Theological Federation, and leads training children’s spirituality, can we rediscover why it matters (2009). 24 THE MONTGOMERY TRUST

Mark Oakley was born in 1968 and educated in Shrewsbury, error and that the person of London and Oxford. He was ordained in the Church of England in faith speaks, thinks and prays 1993 and has served as Curate of St John’s Wood, Chaplain to the poetically for this is the only Bishop of London, Rector of the Actors’ Church in Covent Garden, language of God.

Archdeacon of Germany and Northern Europe and is currently Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral. 3 Are You Sitting Comfortably? The Art of Unease and the At St Paul’s he carries responsibility for the visual arts policy and the Spiritual Life educational work of the cathedral. He has a strong interest in poetry, Is Christian faith a comfort novels, theatre and Scandinavia. He was made Deputy Priest Ordinary to or a challenge to human life? HM the Queen in 1996 and he is a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of A culture that is addicted to Theology and Religious Studies at Kings College London. He is a regular instant information and quick broadcaster and reviewer and a well-known preacher. clarity might treat religion in the same way but this lecture explores the idea that faith questions OAKLEY Canon MARK LECTURE TOPICS 1 The Collage of God: Faith, Doubt and Guessing at God our answers and distrusts first For many people the highs and lows of human experience make it impressions. Like the work of difficult to form a systematic view of God and the spiritual life. This novelists and other artists, faith is talk explores a more beach-combing approach in which the scriptures, an art of unease. tradition, contemporary living, prayer and poetry all contribute to a collage of God which, though not systematic, still has Christian integrity. PUBLICATIONS The Collage of God, Readings for 2 Poetry: The Native Language of Faith Weddings, Readings for Funerals, It is common today for people to take a literal approach to religious and John Donne: Verse and Prose, The and spiritual language. This lecture argues that this is a fundamental Splash of Words: believing in poetry. WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 25

Revd Dr

3 Sexuality and the Church IAN PAUL The Church too often appears to be mediaeval and oppressive in Ian Paul is Honorary Assistant Professor churches. He has published widely at both its views about sex and sexuality. at the University of Nottingham, Associate popular and academic levels. Is this a result of imposing its own Minister of St Nic’s, Nottingham and agenda on its reading of the New Managing Editor of Grove Books Ltd. He LECTURE TOPICS Testament, or does the Bible have is the author of an influential and award- 1 The Book of Revelation: inspiration something more liberating to say winning blog (see: www.psephizo.com). or insanity? about sexuality? What on earth is Revelation doing in the Bible Ian studied Maths at Oxford and when so many find its imagery misogynistic, Southampton and worked in industry violent, or just plain incoherent and, before training for ordination at St John’s, therefore, an obstacle to believing in biblical Nottingham. After achieving a first class Christianity? Is there a way to read it which degree in Theology at Nottingham, he coheres with the message of good news we completed a PhD on interpreting the find elsewhere in the New Testament? metaphorical language in Revelation. Following ten years in parish ministry in 2 The Reliability of the New Testament Dorset, he returned to Nottingham as Dean Do the four gospels contradict one another, of Studies and Lecturer in New Testament at and is Paul preaching a different gospel from St John’s, also for ten years. He is now a writer, Jesus? Or is there evidence to suggest that speaker, editor and academic consultant the New Testament documents are both as well as continuing to minister in local historically reliable and internally coherent? 26 THE MONTGOMERY TRUST

The Very Revd Professor MARTYN PERCY Martyn Percy is bearded collie, Pippa. Martyn was described PUBLICATIONS the Dean of Christ in the journal, Theology, as the British Martyn writes and teaches on Church, Oxford, Theologian closest to being a ‘missionary Christianity and contemporary one of University anthropologist’. culture, modern ecclesiology of Oxford’s largest and pastoral theology. colleges, as well as LECTURE TOPICS His recent books include the Cathedral 1 Christianity and Contemporary Culture : Confidence, Church of the How the truths of Christianity are (mis) Commitment and Communion Diocese of Oxford. represented in the media. (Ashgate) and Thirty-Nine New From 2004-14 he Articles: An Anglican Landscape was Principal of Ripon College, Cuddesdon. 2 Modern Ecclesiology of Faith (Canterbury Press). Prior to that he was Director of the Lincoln The study of how the present-day Christian Theological Institute and has also been Church manifests the teachings of Jesus Chaplain and Director of Studies at Christ’s Christ; the use of power in the church; the College, Cambridge. role of the priest.

Martyn is married to the Theologian, the 3 Practical Theology Revd Dr Emma Percy, Chaplain and Fellow of Applying theological insights and method in Trinity College, Oxford. They have two sons, current debates of ethics, morals and values. Benjamin and Joseph; and an overly-friendly WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 27

Michael Poole is currently Visiting Research Fellow in Science and 3 Science and Religion in Religion in the Department of Education and Professional Studies Secondary Education at King’s College London. For fourteen years he taught Physics A generic title for a variety and Religious Education at a London boys’ comprehensive school of tailor-made talks for senior where he was Head of the Physics Department. secondary school students, relating to studies in science This was followed by three years preparing and broadcasting radio and religion. programmes on science and religion for overseas audiences. PUBLICATIONS He was appointed to the staff of King’s College in 1973 as Lecturer Michael is the author of several in Science Education (Physics). His research interests are in the books, most recently A User’s interplay between science and Guide to Science and Belief religion, with special reference (2007) and The ‘ New’ Atheism: to an educational context. Ten Arguments that don’t Hold Water? (2009), both published LECTURE TOPICS by Lion Hudson, Oxford, as 1 Christianity and well as some ninety papers and the New Atheism articles on issues of science The ‘New Atheism’ under scrutiny. and religion, their relevance for science teachers, religious 2 Issues in Science and education specialists and for Religion with Special a general readership. Reference to Christianity The issues addressed can be agreed

Mr MICHAEL POOLE before the lecture is delivered. 28 THE MONTGOMERY TRUST Canon Dr MARK PRYCE Mark Pryce is a Birmingham Diocese, supporting clergy in what light poetry throws on the poet and practical their professional development. life, death and resurrection of theologian who Jesus, and on themes and images brings insights from Previously, he was Vicar of Smethwick Old in Jesus’ teachings. literature and life to Church, and Dean and Fellow of Corpus illuminate Christian Christi College, Cambridge. PUBLICATIONS faith in ways which Finding a Voice: Men, Women & the are imaginative, LECTURE TOPICS Community of the Church (SCM authentic and 1 Regendering Faith Press 1996), Literary Companion to engaging. As an Taking a fresh look at gender in church and the Lectionary (SPCK 2001); Literary experienced teacher and facilitator, he society, particularly masculinities, this lecture Companion for Festivals (SPCK works regularly with groups of lay people suggests some theological pointers for renewed 2003); Journeying with Mark (SPCK and clergy to animate theological learning relationships between women and men. 2011, with James Woodward & and spiritual growth. Paula Gooder), Journeying with 2 Poetry and Spirituality Luke (2012), Journeying with His recent doctoral research with the Poetry as the language of faith, doubt and Matthew (2013), and Journeying University of Birmingham opens up new spiritual turmoil in Christian believing. with John (2014). With fellow ways for groups to draw on poetry as a way theologian-poets he contributed of deepening their understanding and 3 The Gospels through Poetry to Making Nothing Happen: Five identity. Mark is Bishop’s Adviser for Clergy Going to the heart of the Gospels of Matthew, poets explore faith and spirituality Continuing Ministerial Education in the Mark, Luke and John, this lecture explores (Ashgate 2014). WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 29

Dr ANNE RICHARDS

Anne Richards is the Church of England’s 2 A New Theology of Evangelism National Adviser for Mission Theology, A talk about five themes for engagement New Religious Movements and Alternative with people outside the church: pursuing the Spiritualities. She is the convener of the human; making community; creating new Mission Theology Advisory Group (MTAG), news; forging memory; and being the face an ecumenical group of mission academics of love. This talk includes contributions by and practitioners, which resources churches people working in areas of social justice. in the areas of spirituality, theology, Church (1996); Presence and Prophecy reconciliation, evangelism and mission. 3 New Religious Movements (NRMs) (2002); Sense Making Faith (2007) This lecture provides an introduction to the and Unreconciled? (2011). Resources LECTURE TOPICS 4000+ NRMs operating in the UK today. Look on mission and social action are 1 Issues in Contemporary Spirituality at why people join NRMs and what the issues available at This lecture examines pressures within are for the church. Listen to some theological www.dispossessionproject.org society which make it more difficult and practical observations about engaging She also manages for people to respond to the gospel: NRMs and take a robust look at those NRMs www.spiritualjourneys.org.uk individualisation; post-materialism; which do harm. for spiritual seekers. Anne ‘excarnation’; globalisation; and conceptual regularly writes on Rural Mission diversity. It shows how to respond to the PUBLICATIONS and on Childhood Theology, challenges in a way that makes Christian Anne has produced a large number of mission- including Through the Eyes of a faith relevant and accessible. focused books and articles. These include (with Child (2009) and Children in the MTAG), The Search for Faith and the Witness of the Bible (2013). 30 THE MONTGOMERY TRUST

2 Mary – Ideal Woman, Impossible Saint or Feminine Divine? An exploration of the place of Mary in Christian faith, using both Dr visual images and poetry. 3 Poetry and Faith NICOLA A consideration of the contribution of poetry to Christian faith and life, illustrated SLEE by reference to the work of 20th and 21st Century poets. This could Nicola Slee is a theologian, a poet and Director of Research at include Nicola’s own poetry and the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, is very likely to focus strongly on Birmingham. She has wide-ranging experience of adult education women poets. and has a particular interest in feminist theology, practical theology and the role of poetry and the arts in Christian education and life. PUBLICATIONS Faith and Feminism (DLT), Women’s LECTURE TOPICS Faith Development (Ashgate), 1 An Introduction to Christian Feminist Theology Praying Like a Woman (SPCK), The An exploration and overview of what feminist theology is, Book of Mary (SPCK), Seeking the developments in Christian feminist theology over the past four decades Risen Christa (SPCK) and Making and key issues - or a more focused introduction to key topics within Nothing Happen: Five Poets Explore feminist theology, such as Bible, Christology, and images of God. Faith and Spirituality (Ashgate). WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 31

Dr CHRISTOPHER and the nature of human being and the problem of the soul, as SOUTHGATE well as the study of religion as an evolved phenomenon and the Since 1993, Chris relation to the natural world, and what might study of climate change and why Southgate has that mean for our lifestyles? Explore some of it finds so many deniers. lectured on the the obstacles to a healthy ecotheology, then relationship make constructive proposals. A treatment of PUBLICATIONS between science and the encyclical Laudato Si’ can be included. Chris has published seven books religious faith and of poetry and was awarded a the application of 2 Evolution and the Problem of Evil Hawthornden Fellowship in Christian theology to How could a loving God have given rise to 1999. He co-authored Greening the environmental a world ‘red in tooth and claw’? Learn how Paul: re-reading the Apostle in a crisis. In 1996, this traditional arguments, including an appeal to time of ecological crisis (Baylor teaching won him a Templeton Award. the Fall, or the value of freedom in nature, are University Press 2010). In 2016 He is Principal of the South West Ministry suspect, then hear a composite argument for his seventh collection of poetry Training Course and Associate Professor in how best to think about this question. was published, entitled Chasing Interdisciplinary Theology at the University the Raven (Shoestring Press). of Exeter. In 2014 he gave the Sarum Lectures 3 The Overall State of the He was the principal author on the theme of ‘Glory and Longing’. Science–Religion Debate and coordinating editor of God, Describing how the debate has shifted since Humanity and the Cosmos LECTURE TOPICS its emphases of the 1960s and 70s. Explore (T&T Clark, 3rd edn 2011), and 1 Approaches to Ecological Theology the relation of the Big Bang to the theology of The Groaning of Creation (WJK How can Christians think through the creation, the relation of evolution to suffering Press 2008). 32 THE MONTGOMERY TRUST Professor divine creation? Do quantum indeterminacy, the immanent NEIL SPURWAY God suggested by Darwinian Neil Spurway has ‘Is Religion Natural?’ Currently, he is President thought, the suffering implied taught introductory of the Scottish Church Theological Society. by natural selection, or the philosophy of science apparently material substrate courses to PhD and LECTURE TOPICS of mind, encourage us to final-year BSc 1 Taking Darwin Seriously embrace or reject a theistic students in Glasgow Darwinian thought implied the immanence of view of the universe? throughout the last God in nature, but the pain inherent in natural 45 years. He has selection also challenges simplistic views of PUBLICATIONS also chaired the God’s power, and calls us back to the suffering Genetics and Molecular Biology University’s Gifford love of Jesus on the cross. of Muscle Adaptation (with H. Lectureships committee, and edited the Wackerhage) was published Centenary Series of those lectures on 2 The Evolution of Mind, and its by Elsevier in 2006. Neil has Humanity, Environment and God Implications for Theology also edited three of the SRF’s (Blackwell 1993). Our mental powers must be as directly the conference proceedings: Creation products of natural selection as our physical and the Abrahamic Faiths (2008), On retirement, he became editor of ESSSAT characteristics. What does this imply for our Theology, Evolution and the Mind News, the members’ journal of the European ability to form valid concepts of non-terrestrial (2009) and Laws of Nature, Laws Society for the Study of Science and Theology, existence, and the nature of deity? of God? (2015), all from only demitting office to become ESSSAT’s Vice Cambridge Scholars’ Publishing. President for Conference, responsible for the 3 Science and Religion in the He writes particularly on the XIIIth European Conference on Science and Third Millennium implications of evolutionary Theology (Edinburgh 2010), on the theme Does a finite age for the universe point to thought for theology. WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 33

Elaine Storkey is an experienced writer and speaker in relating 3 Is Christianity Dying in the West? the Christian Gospel to contemporary culture. She has taught in The Secularisation Thesis Revisited British universities and overseas. She was President of Tear Fund, Cultural change is a normal part a member of High Table at Newham College, Cambridge, and one of historical development. But of the founders of the postgraduate Christian Mindcourse at how do we assess the declining Oxford. She has been one of the longest-serving members of the level of church attendance and Church of England’s General Synod (28 years), and is on numerous religious adherence in the UK, and boards, councils and working parties which address the interface its reflection of the shift of belief of culture and Christianity. within a culture? Sociologists disagree about the interpretation LECTURE TOPICS and meaning of these changes. 1 Film and Theology Surveying their arguments and Film is more than a medium of entertainment. Many films ask – and looking at deeper evidence can often answer – fundamental religious questions which concern human produce surprises and challenges.

significance, the meaning of reality and the existence of God. This lecture, illustrated with film clips, surveys some of these questions and Elaine is happy to provide similar identifies recurring moral and theological titles under these lecture topics. film themes. PUBLICATIONS 2 Women, Culture, and Gender-Justice Her latest book, Scars Across Looking at sociological, psychological and Humanity (2015), addresses the theological issues, including a theological global incidence of violence examination of gender stereotypes, or against women. It will be followed addressing pervasive global and cultural by a biography of Lyn Lusi, concerns of justice. The aim of the lecture is founder of Heal Africa. to allow the Christian faith to shed light on

Dr ELAINE STORKEY areas which are crucial to our gendered lives.

34 THE MONTGOMERY TRUST

Revd Dr MIRANDA

Picture by Keith Blundy THRELFALL-HOLMES

Miranda Threlfall-Holmes is Vicar of 2 Women Bishops in the Church of England PUBLICATIONS Belmont and Pittington in Durham, and (or Women’s Ordination) The Teenage Prayer Experiment an historian and writer. She is particularly The history of the debate, where we are now, Notebook (SPCK 2015), The Essential interested in the history of the church, theological and social implications. History of Christianity (SPCK 2012), and how historical understanding can Being a Chaplain (SPCK 2011) shed fresh light on contemporary issues. 3 Experimenting with Spirituality and Monks and Markets: Durham As a member of the Church of England’s The Teenage Prayer Experiment was a blog Cathedral Priory 1460-1520 General Synod, she has been particularly and is now a book in which Miranda and (OUP 2005). involved in the debates surrounding her teenage son, Noah, experimented with women bishops. different prayer styles. The book encourages experimentation in prayer, and a version for LECTURE TOPICS adults was published by SPCK in June 2016. 1 The History of the Church This talk can be either an interactive prayer A one-hour illustrated summary of ‘workshop’, with stations and introduction, church history. or a talk about the book, the writing process, teenagers and prayer.b lo WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 35

Dr MEG WARNER Meg Warner is Visiting Lecturer at King’s interpretation of the New Testament and for College London and Reader in the Diocese its own sake. Issues of truth, translation and of London. She seeks to hold together tradition are explored. academic theological teaching and research with a more popular teaching 2 Abraham our Father – Abraham as and writing ministry. Meg is invited to first Ecumenist speak regularly at international Biblical In a world dealing with increasing levels Studies conferences, by dioceses around of inter-religious conflict, Abraham is the Anglican Communion and within the often looked to as a focus of unity for Jews, Church of England on topics relating to Christians and Muslims. This lecture focuses the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, including on the presentation of Abraham in Genesis to topics which explore the application of assess how well the Abraham of the Biblical those ancient texts to today’s ethical issues. story is equipped to be the ‘Father of us all’. traditions that might have LECTURE TOPICS 3 ‘I will give you all this land’ – Exploring the something to offer us in our 21st 1 Why Should Christians Read the Old Biblical Land Promise Century world, especially in the Testament (or What has the Old Testament This lecture goes back to the biblical text to light of the current refugee crisis. Done for us?) explore multiple traditions relating to the This lecture explores the value for divine land promise. It asks why the Exodus PUBLICATIONS Christians of an understanding of, and and Conquest traditions are traditionally Abraham: A Journey Through Lent familiarity with, the Old Testament, both for foregrounded at the expense of alternative (SPCK Lent Book 2016). 36 THE MONTGOMERY TRUST

2 Personal Identity and the Virtue of Fidelity A theological perspective on how the neglected virtue of Canon fidelity can help heal Professor fragmented identities. 3 Images of God VERNON A discussion of the credibility, or otherwise, of traditional images for God, and some suggestions WHITE for re-imagining them. PUBLICATIONS The Fall of a Sparrow: an essay on the concept of special divine action Vernon White is Canon Theologian at Westminster Abbey and (1985); Atonement and Incarnation Visiting Professor in Theology at King’s College London. He has (1991); Paying Attention to People: wide-ranging interests in moral, philosophical and ‘literary’ an essay on individualism and theology, and varied experience working in Theological Education, Christian belief (1996); Identity University Chaplaincy, Cathedral and Parish ministry. (2002); Life Beyond Death: threads of hope in faith, life and LECTURE TOPICS theology (2006); Purpose and 1 Life Beyond Death Providence: Taking Soundings in A discussion of the credibility of the belief, and re-imagining Western Thought, Literature and traditional images of eternal life . Theology (2015). WWW.MONTGOMERYTRUST.ORG.UK 37

Professor some said he was the greatest, but he demurred. He is worth reading still. He insisted that theology HADDON WILLMER is a joyful science and is not to be done with a gloomy face. This Haddon Willmer taught Theology at the University of Leeds for talk aims to show how any reader, over thirty years. His multifarious interests in the precarious not just specialists, can get into possibilities of human wellbeing, and of Christian faith today and the fun of doing theology in his in the future, are reflected in the subjects he offers. company and with his focus on ‘the humanity of God’. LECTURE TOPICS 1 Forgiving Politics 3 The Importance of the Child What is forgiveness? Do we know? Can we say? Yet at least we know, Are children important? How don’t we, that politics and forgiving don’t go together? Why are we important and to whom and so pessimistic about politics and so afraid to risk thinking of politics why? How do various secular and forgivingly? Suppose we try the opposite tack, looking into politics religious, particularly Christian, to find the emergent forgiving, and finding out how to talk about reasons coincide or diverge? forgiveness through politics. We might be surprised at what we find. How does the affirmation of the The Bible and theology help us, rather than dissuade us, from this importance of the child stand venture. Might it be that the only way to be simultaneously honest and up in view of the ill-treatment hopeful about human being is to find forgiveness by forgiving? How of children, locally and globally? do we live with the imperfection of ourselves and our politics if we How does Christian faith and can’t see and appreciate forgiveness? practice go under, or survive, or help when the infinitely valuable 2 How to Read Barth Today without Putting on Theological Weight child is neglected, abused, Karl Barth (1886–1968) was a major theologian of the last century: despised and lost? 38 THE MONTGOMERY TRUST Revd Canon Dr JAMES WOODWARD

James Woodward has been principal of LECTURE TOPICS Sarum College since October 2015, after seven 1 Ageing and Spirituality years as Canon of St George’s Chapel Windsor. a) Ageing: Blessing or Burden? The nature of In 30 years of ministerial experience James ageing in 21st Century Europe, exploring a questions about human personhood; has worked in a range of contexts, including number of theories relating to the nature and how we cope with limitation and failure. health care chaplaincy and rural ministry, shape of age. where he delivered sustainable growth and b) Understanding the Spiritual Needs of Older 3 Death and Dying: end-of-life care development in thinking and practice. As People: a comprehensive framework within and ethics a theological educator James has taught in which to understand the specific spiritual needs a) Exploring the nature of death and the Universities of Birmingham, Warwick, of older people. appropriate pastoral responses to Cardiff and the . c) Befriending the Elderly Stranger: a theology of dying, bereavement and grief. ageing. Exploring the distinctive contribution b) Discussing some of the ethical issues James has written extensively in the areas of of Christian tradition to our understanding of that surround end-of-life care and the practical and pastoral theology, theological age in others and self. debates relating to assisted suicide. reflection, health care and ethics, illness, old age and the end of life care. 2 Autobiography and Biography as Theology PUBLICATIONS Exploring the role of narrative and the way in James has recently completed For further information visit his webpage at which individuals and groups narrate their a series of four books (with www.jameswoodward.info or the College web life stories, focusing on the way in which this Paula Gooder and Mark Pryce) page www.sarum.ac.uk process opens up fundamental theological on the Gospels. “We are most grateful to the Montgomery Trust for enabling this to happen. It was for us a very successful event, and everybody went away with their thinking broadened and deepened. Thank you.”

Changing Attitude, Greater London The Montgomery Trust was set up by Sir Alexander Montgomery to promote lectures ‘in explanation and defence of the Christian religion with a view to removing difficulties widely felt in the way of faith and to demonstrate the reasonableness of theistic belief’.

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